Robot cable with connectors for industrial applications.

chainflex® CFROBOT

Torsion cables for use in three-dimensional applications with a high proportion of torsion

The increasingly complex movements in industrial applications call for twistable cables and/or cables that can move in three dimensions with a long service life, similar to the classic chainflex cables. A moving robot arm, for example, generates high bending, centrifugal and torsional forces in a robot cable. The chainflex robot cables from igus SE & Co. KG have been specifically designed and tested for this special requirement.

A wide selection of twistable chainflex® CFROBOT cables are available, such as shielded single cores, motor cables, servo cables, measuring system cables, bus cables and hybrid and control cables. In contrast to conventionally constructed copper shields with braiding, the CFROBOT generally uses a torsion-resistant, tinned copper shield stranding.

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Special structure and specifications of a chainflex robot cable

Chainflex robot cable for torsion with exposed copper conductor.

Cores, stranded structure, shields and jacket materials must compensate for high alternating bending loads as well as cable diameter changes due to torsional movements. Filling elements are used which can absorb occurring forces such as torsions. For this purpose, PTFE elements and rayon threads are installed.

This "mechanical stress" differs greatly between cables in a linear e-chain system and a cable subjected to bending, torsional and centrifugal forces. This cannot usually be determined in advance. The igus Torsion Test Standard was developed for this purpose. This standard allows a reproducible assessment based on meaningful test results. All CFROBOT cables with a fixed end distance of one metre are twisted at least 5 million times.

Torsion test of a CFROBOT8 with over 15 million cycles

chainflex cables for demanding robot applications

Wandres GmbH specialises in the development and production of brushing and air cleaning systems. The safe and careful removal of dust, fibres and the smallest particles on surfaces is a prerequisite for many production processes in order to produce high-quality products. In order to protect the 6-axis robots from mechanical damage, the robot cables were equipped with factory-supplied protective hoses. However, these could not stand the continuous operation and are permanently torn or frayed, causing the whole test facility to come to a standstill.

Multi-axis robots

Industrial robot with cable guidance moves a heavy load in a test setup.

Riveting robots in the construction of aircraft fuselages

In this application, two robots move sideways and above an aeroplane fuselage like a couple performing a perfectly rehearsed dancing routine.

Each robot works from a platform that moves freely, performing work at a height of several metres with millimetre precision.

To the application example

Industrial robots handle a large tube in a production facility.

Robot dress pack triflex® R readychain®

In production plants, high durability of components and the lowest possible downtime are the priority. The triflex® R readychain® robot dress pack combines and optimises both. We will develop a customised dress pack system for you, consisting of the "modular kits" triflex® R, chainflex® and igus® connectors: